U.S. patent number 5,456,512 [Application Number 08/394,551] was granted by the patent office on 1995-10-10 for vehicular rack slat securance.
This patent grant is currently assigned to Mascotech Accessories, Inc.. Invention is credited to Scott R. Allen, Douglas P. Gibbs.
United States Patent |
5,456,512 |
Gibbs , et al. |
October 10, 1995 |
Vehicular rack slat securance
Abstract
An automotive vehicular rack is described having an adjustable
securing mechanism for securing cross slats between side rails. The
securing mechanism includes a plunger which is normally urged by a
coil spring to a protruding position in which it can register with
a selected, corresponding aperture in a side rail. An actuator
slide engages the pin defining the plunger to enable a user to
slide the pin against the force of the spring as desired, for
example, to disengage the cross slat from the side rail.
Inventors: |
Gibbs; Douglas P. (Yuba City,
CA), Allen; Scott R. (Yuba City, CA) |
Assignee: |
Mascotech Accessories, Inc.
(Sacramento, CA)
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Family
ID: |
22386194 |
Appl.
No.: |
08/394,551 |
Filed: |
February 27, 1995 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
Issue Date |
|
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119757 |
Sep 10, 1993 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
296/37.7;
224/321; 224/325 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B60R
9/045 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
B60R
9/045 (20060101); B60R 9/00 (20060101); B60R
007/00 () |
Field of
Search: |
;296/37.7
;224/309,315,319,321,322,325 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: Pape; Joseph D.
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Flehr, Hohbach, Test, Albritton
& Herbert
Parent Case Text
This is a continuation of application Ser. No. 08/119,757 filed
Sep. 10, 1993, now abandoned.
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. In a vehicular rack having a first rack bar to be secured to an
exterior panel of a vehicle, the combination comprising:
(a) a slat to be secured to said first rack bar closely adjacent
said panel to act as a base for a load carried by said vehicular
rack; and
(b) a securing mechanism to secure said slat to said first rack
bar, said securing mechanism including a projection configured to
register with a corresponding cavity in said first bar of said
vehicular rack, which projection is movable between a retracted
position relative to said slat and a protruding position for said
registration.
2. The vehicular rack of claim 1 wherein said securing mechanism is
adapted to secure said slat to said first rack bar with said slat
extending laterally of said first rack bar.
3. The vehicular rack of claim 1 wherein said securing mechanism
also includes means for securing said mechanism to said slat.
4. The vehicular rack of claim 1 wherein said vehicular rack
includes a pair of said first rack bars generally parallel to one
another, and said slat is to be secured to both of said pair so as
to extend therebetween.
5. The vehicular rack of claim 4 wherein said slat has a securing
mechanism at each of its opposed ends to secure said slat to
corresponding ones of said first bars.
6. In a vehicular rack having a first rack bar to be secured to a
vehicle, the combination comprising:
(a) a second rack bar to be secured to said first rack bar; and
(b) a securing mechanism to secure said second rack bar to said
first rack bar, said securing mechanism including a projection
configured to register with a corresponding cavity in said first
bar of said vehicular rack, which projection is movable between a
retracted position and a protruding position for said registration,
said securing mechanism further including means for resiliently
urging said projection toward said protruding position.
7. The vehicular rack of claim 6 further including an actuator
secured to said projection for moving said projection against said
urging toward said retracted position.
8. In a vehicular rack having a first rack bar to be secured to a
vehicle, the combination comprising:
(a) a second rack bar to be secured to said first rack bar; and
(b) a securing mechanism to secure said second rack bar to said
first bar, said securing mechanism including a plunger which is
spring loaded to a protruding position for registration with a
corresponding cavity in said first bar of said vehicular rack.
9. The vehicular rack of claim 8 wherein said projection is movable
between a retracted position and said protruding position for said
registration.
10. The vehicular rack of claim 8 wherein said securing mechanism
is adapted to secure said second rack bar to said first rack bar
with said second rack bar extending laterally of said first rack
bar.
11. The vehicular rack of claim 8 wherein said securing mechanism
also includes means for securing said mechanism to said second rack
bar.
12. The vehicular rack of claim 8 wherein said securing mechanism
further includes means for resiliently urging said projection
toward said protruding position and an actuator secured to said
projection for moving the same against said urging toward said
retracted position.
13. The vehicular rack of claim 8 wherein said vehicular rack
includes a pair of said first rack bars generally parallel to one
another, and said second rack bar is to be secured to both of said
pair so as to extend therebetween.
14. The vehicular rack of claim 13 wherein said second rack bar is
an elongated slat having a securing mechanism at each of its
opposite ends to secure said slat to a corresponding one of said
first bars.
15. The vehicular rack of claim 14 wherein both of said first rack
bars are to be secured to the same exterior panel of said vehicle,
and said slat is to be positioned between said pair of first bars
closely adjacent said exterior panel.
16. In a vehicular rack having a first rack bar to be secured to a
vehicle, the combination comprising:
(a) a second rack bar to be secured to said first rack bar; and
(b) a securing mechanism to secure said second rack bar to said
first rack bar, said securing mechanism including a body
having:
(1) means for attaching said securing mechanism to said second
rack; and
(2) means for defining a path for sliding movement of a pin
relative to the remainder of said body between a retracted position
and a protruding position;
said securing means also including:
(1) a pin captured by said body on said path;
(2) a coil spring normally urging said pin to said protruding
position, which spring is in engagement with both said pin and said
body to be compressed and resist sliding movement of said pin from
said protruding position to said retracted position; and
(3) an actuator secured to said pin for moving said pin toward said
retracted position.
17. The vehicular rack of claim 16 wherein said actuator is
positioned and configured to be manually graspable for said moving
of said pin toward said retracted position.
18. The vehicular rack of claim 16 wherein said vehicular rack
includes a pair of said first rack bars to be secured to an
exterior panel of said vehicle generally parallel to one another;
and wherein said second rack bar is an elongated slat having a
securing mechanism at each of its opposed ends to secure each to a
corresponding one of said first bars between said pair of first
bars, closely adjacent said exterior panel of said vehicle.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to vehicular racks of the type used
with automotive vehicles to transport cargo and, more particularly,
to the securance of bars of such a rack to one another.
Many vehicle racks include a pair of parallel side rails between
which cross bars for securing a load to be carried extend. A
vehicle rack which is permanently secured to a vehicle panel, such
as to an automotive vehicle roof panel, often also includes cross
slats to protect the vehicle panel surface and, in some situations,
carry the weight of the load and distribute it along the panel. A
good example of this type of vehicular rack is one designed for
carrying luggage. The luggage sits on the slats and is secured in
position to the cross bars. In this connection, the cross bars
typically are spaced from the vehicle panel surface, whereas the
cross slats are closely adjacent the panel surface. (It should be
mentioned that the term "bars" as used herein without an adjective
indicating type is meant to be generic and encompass side rails and
cross slats, as well as cross bars.)
It is relatively common to adhere cross slats nonmovably directly
to a vehicle panel via an adhesive or the like. While such
nonmovable cross slats often are properly positioned to transmit
the weight of a load to the vehicle and will protect a vehicle
surface from the load, it will be appreciated that in many
instances it is desirable that the position of the cross slats be
adjustable to assure such protection and correct positioning for
load weight carrying. While cross slats arrangements have been
provided in the past in which the position of the slats is
adjustable, in general they are not easy to use and rely on the
strength of the installer himself/herself for tightness. Moreover,
such arrangements often have separate pieces which can become
lost.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention provides a vehicular rack having a pair of
bars (in the preferred embodiment, a longitudinally extending side
rail and a cross slat) which are secured together via a securing
mechanism which assures integrity and yet enables the position of
the same to be easily adjusted. The securance mechanism is a one
piece unit so that no individual hardware pieces which might be
lost are required.
From the broad standpoint, the invention includes a vehicular rack
bar to be secured to another bar of the rack by a securing
mechanism which has a projection configured to register with a
corresponding aperture in the first rack bar. Most desirably, the
projection is a plunger which is spring loaded to resiliently
protrude for registration with a corresponding cavity in the first
bar. Such spring loading reduces the possibility that the securing
mechanism will fail to retain the desired securance during
transportation.
The invention is particularly applicable to the securance of a
cross slat to a side rail of a vehicular rack. The cross slat is
elongated as is typical, and includes the securing mechanism at
each of its opposed ends for securing the cross slat closely
adjacent the exterior panel between parallel side rails.
An actuator preferably is included secured to the plunger for
moving the same toward the retracted position. Most desirably, such
actuator is positioned and configured to be manually graspable so
that the cross slat can be easily installed and/or removed.
Other features and advantages of the invention either will become
apparent or will be described in connection with the following,
more detailed description of a preferred embodiment of the
invention.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING
With reference to the accompanying two sheets of drawing:
FIG. 1 is an isometric view illustrating an automotive vehicular
rack incorporating a preferred embodiment of the invention;
FIG. 2 is a partial, enlarged isometric view illustrating the
manner in which a preferred embodiment of the securing mechanism
cooperates with a side rail of an automotive vehicular rack to
secure a cross slat to such rail;
FIGS. 3A and 3B are top elevation views of a preferred embodiment
of the securing mechanism showing the plunger in its extended and
retracted positions, respectively;
FIGS. 4A and 4B are side sectional views of the securing mechanism
taken on a plane indicated in FIGS. 3A and 3B by the lines labeled
4A--4A and 4B--4B, respectively; and
FIG. 5 is a exploded isometric view of the securing mechanism.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
The following relatively detailed description is provided to
satisfy the patent statutes. However, it will be appreciated by
those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications can
be made without departing from the invention.
A vehicular rack, generally referred to by the reference numeral
11, is illustrated on the exterior surface of a roof panel 12 of an
automotive vehicle. Such rack includes a pair of spaced apart but
parallel and longitudinally extending side rails 13 and 14 which
are permanently secured to the panel 12 by, for example, bolts or
screws (not shown). Cross bars 16 and 17 extend between such side
rails. The position of each of the cross bars 16 and 17 is
adjustable as is typical and, in this connection, the side rails
often are referred to as "slide" rails. The load to be carried is
secured to the cross bars.
Elongated cross car slats 18-20 also extend between the side rails
laterally thereof. The purpose of these slats is to act as a base
for the load to be carried. If the load to be carried is luggage or
the like, such cross slats distribute the weight of the load over a
larger area of any vehicle exterior panel having the rack.
Moreover, such slats protect the surface of such panel.
In keeping with the invention, securing mechanisms 21 are provided
on opposite ends of the individual slats for securance of the ends
to their respective side rails. In this connection, it must be
remembered that the slats and the securing mechanism as will be
described can be used to transmit the load of the cargo to the side
rails, i.e., keep the weight of the load from being carried by the
portion of the vehicle panel between such side rails.
Each securing mechanism 21 includes a plunger 22 which protrudes
from the remainder of such securing mechanism for registration with
one of a plurality of cavities, specifically apertures 23-26 (see
FIG. 2), in a corresponding side rail. Each plunger 22 is sized and
because of its cylindrical shape otherwise is configured to
register with each of the corresponding apertures in its associated
side rail in a relatively tight fit. A main body 31 of each
securing mechanism captures a pin 32 and defines a path for sliding
movement of the same between a retracted position and a protruding
position. That is, the pin 32 registers in the body with a pair of
spaced apart cylindrical holes 33 and 34. An exposed end of the pin
32 defines the plunger 22. Such plunger includes a nose 36 to
facilitate sliding movement of the same transversely relative to
the side rails. Although not shown, the pin can be tapered
immediately behind the plunger to facilitate engagement with a side
rail aperture.
The pin 32 and, hence, the plunger 22 is normally urged to the
protruding position shown in FIGS. 2, 3A and 4A. In the preferred
embodiment being described, this protruding position is one in
which the pin protrudes from the remainder of the securing
mechanism 11. (It will be appreciated, though, that the protruding
position need not necessarily be one in which there is protrusion
beyond the remainder of the securing mechanism.) That is, a coil
spring 37 coaxially surrounding the pin is compressed between the
depending nub 38 on the body 31 defining the aperture 31 and a stop
flange 41 on the pin.
The pin and again, hence, the plunger 22 is movable to a retracted
position to permit its engagement/disengagement with a
corresponding aperture of a side rail. Such retracted position and
the relationship of the parts is illustrated in FIGS. 3B and 4B.
One of the parts of the securing mechanism is an actuator slide 42
which facilitates movement of the plunger between the protruding
position and the retracted position. That is, an exterior actuator
slide 42 has a pair of parallel but spaced apart depending ears 43
which engage the pin between the flange 41 and an enlarged end
section of such pin defining the plunger 22. It will be seen with
reference to such figures, that movement of the actuator in the
direction of the arrows 44 results in movement of the pin in the
direction of such arrows against the compressive force of the
spring 37.
The main body 31 of the securing mechanism also includes means to
secure such securing mechanism to the cross slat. Such means takes
the form in this preferred embodiment of a tongue 46 which is
configured to fit tightly within the interior of an end of the
cross slat. It includes an elongated finger 47 that is secured only
to one end of the remainder of the body so as to be resiliently
secured thereto. In this connection the actuator and the body 31
preferably are made of the same hard plastic material, e.g., a hard
polypropylene. When the tongue 46 is inserted in the end of a cross
slat, the finger 47 snaps into a slot 48 provided in such cross
slat end. A shoulder 49 on the finger engages a front edge 51 of
the slot in the cross slat to lock the securing mechanism to the
cross slat.
It will be appreciated that although in this preferred embodiment
the securing mechanism includes means to secure the same to the
cross slat, in some arrangements the securing mechanism can be
provided as an integral part of the cross slat.
The ease with which the securing mechanism provides securance of a
cross slat to the remainder of a vehicular rack should readily be
apparent. The user need only register the plunger at one end of the
cross slat with a desired aperture in a side rail, and then engage
a desired aperture in the other rail by sliding the plunger of the
securing mechanism of the other cross slat along such side rail
adjacent the desired aperture. It will be recognized that because
of the construction, the strength of the user is not a factor in
determining the tightness of connection that is provided. There
also are not separate parts which need be manipulated by the user
in order to provide the desired cross slat securance.
When it is desired to disengage the cross slat, it is only
necessary for the user to retract the actuator to remove the
plunger from its associated aperture. In this connection, the
exterior of the actuator is configured as illustrated to facilitate
manual grasping. In some instances such grasping may be desired to
make sure the plunger is in a fully "home" position in an
associated aperture for the securance.
As mentioned at the beginning of the detailed description,
applicants are not limited to the specific embodiment described
above. Various changes and modifications can be made. The claims,
their equivalents and their equivalent language define the scope of
protection.
* * * * *